Fact Check: Did Megan Rapinoe say she 'can't live' in US after Trump's election win?
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Soccer star Megan Rapinoe, known for her outspoken criticism of former president Donald Trump, is now at the center of rumors suggesting she plans to leave the US following his victory in the 2024 election.
The Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion is said to have shared a tweet asking for suggestions on where to move, seeking a place where soccer is more appreciated.
This comes just weeks after Rapinoe publicly backed Vice President Kamala Harris and took aim at Trump during a podcast, fueling speculation about her future in the US.
Megan Rapinoe rumored to leave United States after Trump's win
On November 10, 2024, a Facebook post by the SpaceX fan club shared a meme that claimed, "Megan Rapinoe leaves USA after MASSIVE RED WAVE, "I Can't Live Here Anymore.'"
The post quickly sparked attention, especially with a link in the comments pointing to an article on ESSPOTS with the headline: "TRUE: Megan Rapinoe To Leave America Soon."
The article humorously explained that Rapinoe, a World Cup champion and outspoken advocate for equal rights, had announced her intention to leave the US after facing heavy criticism from online soccer "experts."
The post also included a tweet from Rapinoe reading: "Thinking of leaving the USA. Suggestions for a new home where they appreciate soccer and sarcastic forwards? 🌍✈️🤷♀️ #RespectRapinoe." With these two pieces of evidence, many commenters on Facebook were convinced the claim was true.
Another reason the rumor of Megan Rapinoe leaving the US after Trump's 2024 victory has gained traction is her outspoken support for Kamala Harris and her criticism of Trump, which she shared on one of her podcasts before the election.
She said, "I also think we have a really amazing opportunity to elect a Black woman in this country. It is stressful. I am nervous but I also am hopeful. I believe in people and I certainly believe in women and I believe that people want better than the grim, dark, just violent reality that Donald Trump has very clearly laid out for us."
Viral claim about Megan Rapinoe has been debunked
Although some internet users believed the viral claim about Megan Rapinoe, it has been debunked due to the lack of credible sources to support it. The rumor originated from the SpaceX Fansclub page, which explicitly states, "We post SATIRE, nothing on this page is real."
Additionally, the page is categorized under "Satire/Parody" content, further indicating that the claim was not meant to be taken seriously.
Another key piece of evidence debunking the claim is that the page is affiliated with the satirical news site Esspots.com, which includes a disclaimer that all its posts are "entirely fictitious and created for the purpose of entertainment only."
On the Esspots website, the About Us page clearly states, "Welcome to the US page of Esspots (A Subsidiary of SpaceXMania.com specializing in Satire and Parody News), your one-stop destination for satirical news and commentary about the United States of America. Our team of writers and editors is dedicated to bringing you the latest and greatest in fake news and absurdity, all with a healthy dose of humor and satire."
The site also notes that its content covers "outrageous conspiracy theories to outlandish political stunts," all intended as parody.
Finally, no reputable media sources support the story about Rapinoe, nor has she made any such statement on her social media accounts. The claim remains purely fictional.
